What Luke Small lacks in stature he makes up for in focus and determination to succeed on the track and field.
The 14 year old Magdalene Catholic High School student from Ruse has a condition known as achondroplasia (short stature).
After competing in athletics for more than five years, it looks like Luke may be a future champion in the 800m and discuss events of track and field.
Young Luke recently achieved one of his goals, to qualify and take part in the Pan Pacific Games in Adelaide, South Australia.
The Pan Pacific Games are held every four years, and around 4,000 school students from 15 countries across the Pacific compete in 11 sports at the highest level.
Sports include basketball, diving, football (soccer), goalball, golf, hockey, netball, softball, swimming, touch football and track and field.
Luke successfully qualified for Adelaide after finishing first in the 800m and third in the discus at the 2017 NSW State Athletics championships.
At the Pan Pacific Games, held late last year, Luke showed 800m may be his best distance when he finished strongly to win the event.
And in his second event, the discus, Luke finished a creditable fifth spot.
Sporting disciplines are an integral part of the Pacific School Games, but they also offer an immense educational, multicultural and social benefit for participants.
Wests Group Macarthur helped make Luke’s trip to Adelaide a reality by providing financial assistance towards transportation, uniforms, competition entry and accommodation.
“We were proud to help Luke out,’’ a Wests spokesperson said.
“We’d like to congratulate Luke on an amazing accomplishment.
“We can’t wait to see what his next competition brings,’’ the Wests spokesperson said.
